When my first baby was born, I laughed at the idea of ingesting my placenta. Heck, I didn’t even want to look at the organ after it was delivered! I had this amazing unmedicated birth center birth, and I didn’t even look at my placenta. What was I thinking? Over the next year, we started falling further down the rabbit hole of all things natural. Our lifestyle began to change as well as our views and practices. By the time I was pregnant with baby #2, we were ready for a homebirth, I was teaching childbirth education classes, and I fully understood the power of the placenta. Not only was I excited to see it, but I wanted it encapsulated.

I took my placenta pills for a few weeks and then decided to stash them in the freezer. I was making plenty of milk, had no signs of depression or baby blues, and was feeling great. My husband asked me a few months later if I truly wanted to keep those suckers in the freezer long term. I simply laughed at him and swallowed two pills the morning after St. Patrick’s Day (in Savannah, mind you.) and went on my merry way while he suffered an awful hangover. Placenta Pills for the WIN! He has never questioned the frozen pills since. With baby #3, I already had half a jar still frozen, but couldn’t imagine not encapsulating this placenta. So now I have a placenta and a half worth of pills in the freezer AND I have another baby on the way! Those little magic pills are going to help me manage menopause someday. (IN THE WAY DISTANT FUTURE!) Needless to say, I am a believer. It doesn’t matter how “Crunchy” you are. Go ahead and read these benefits of encapsulation and make the choice to jump aboard my magic pill boat! Yes, family and friends may think you are crazy. Yes, people will laugh at you. And heck, you may laugh at yourself and see absolutely no truth in these benefits, BUT there is no harm in trying – AND you may come back and thank me if you have an extra glass of wine and need a little help in the morning.

YOUR PLACENTA

Every placenta is different and unique to the mother and baby. It is the organ that surrounds the fetus in the womb and allows for the exchange of nutrients, blood, and waste with the mother. It acts as a sponge (not a filter), so everything the mother ingests while pregnant will reach the baby in one form or another. Third stage of labor is when the placenta is delivered. It is expelled by pushing, just as the baby is, and will still be attached to baby by the umbilical cord. Delayed cord clamping is vitally important and being practiced more regularly now. After all of the amazing, healthy blood has finished passing from placenta to baby (You can actually watch your baby get pinker during this time!), the cord is cut and the placenta’s purpose is complete. Or so we thought.

PLACENTA ENCAPSULATION

The act of encapsulating the placenta has been practiced for centuries by the Chinese, Vietnamese, Hungarians and Italians. These cultures believe the placenta to be rich in nutrients, which will greatly assist the mother to recover from childbirth. (Come on USA, let’s get with the program). To encapsulate the placenta it will be steamed, dehydrated, ground, and placed into capsules. We know that animals in the wild consume their placentas, and for good reason – they know what’s good for them! Placental encapsulation is the practice of ingesting the placenta. A certified encapsulator thoroughly washes the placenta and cleans any clots or blood. Then, depending on the method chosen, the placenta may be steamed (with or without herbs), or it may go straight to being dehydrated, ground, and placed into pills. It will end up looking like any other herb capsule. Traditionally, this is taken by the mother and is believed to impart numerous health benefits. It is frequently taken shortly after giving birth, during a woman’s menstrual period, or during menopause with the belief that it helps counter some of the symptoms of menopause. You can start taking it immediately, as it should only take 2-3 days before you receive your capsules. Make sure they are stored in a dark cupboard or the refrigerator, but not near anything that could cause them to get wet. If you live in a tropical climate, throw the in the freezer for safe keeping. You should receive 100-200 pills, and they can be stored properly for years! *Note: Prior arrangements for placenta encapsulation should be made, as it needs to be kept in a cooler on ice and will be picked up immediately after birth (within 48 hours).

BENEFITS of PLACENTA ENCAPSULATION

• Increased release of the hormone oxytocin, which helps the uterus return to normal size and encourages bonding with the infant
• Increase in CRH, a stress-reducing hormone
• Decrease in post-partum depression levels
• Restoration of iron levels in the blood
• Increase in milk production
• Replacing the depleted hormones with your own natural hormones
• Rebalancing the systems of the body
• Increased energy
• Lessen postpartum bleeding
• Help balance hormones during menopause

Up to 80% of women experience the baby blues within the first week of birth. Women who consume their placenta report fewer emotional issues and a more enjoyable babymoon.

BUT HOW DOES IT WORK?

The placenta is composed of beneficial hormones, chemicals, iron, and proteins. These healing substances include:

• Estrogen, Progesterone, Testosterone: These contribute to mammary gland development in preparation for lactation; stabilize postpartum mood; regulate post-birth uterine cramping; decreases depression; normalizes and stimulates libido.
  
  
• Prolactin: Promotes lactation; increases milk supply; enhances the mothering instinct.
  
  
• Oxytocin: Decreases pain and increases bonding in mother and infant; counteracts the production of stress hormones such as Cortisol; greatly reduces postpartum bleeding; enhances the breastfeeding let-down reflex.
  
  
• Placental Opioid-Enhancing Factor (POEF): Stimulates the production of your body’s natural opioids, including endorphins; reduces pain; increases well-being.
  
  
• Thyroid Stimulating Hormone: Regulates the thyroid gland; boosts energy and supports recovery from stressful events.
  
  
• Corticotropin Releasing Hormone (CRH): Low levels of CRH are implicated in postpartum depression. Regulation of CRH helps prevent depression.
  
  
• Cortisone: Reduces inflammation and swelling; promotes healing.
  
  
• Interferon: Triggers the protective defenses of the immune system to fight infection.
  
  
• Prostaglandins: Regulates contractions in the uterus after birth; helps uterus return to its pre-pregnancy size. Anti-inflammatory effects.
  
  
• Iron: Replenishes maternal iron stores to combat anemia, a common postpartum condition. Increases energy; decreases fatigue and depression.
  
  
• Hemoglobin: Oxygen-carrying molecule which provides a boost in energy.
  
  
• Urokinase Inhibiting Factor and Factor XIII: stops bleeding and enhances wound healing.
  
  
• Immunoglobulin G (IgG): Antibody molecules which support the immune system.
  
  
• Human Placental Lactogen (hPL): This hormone has lactogenic and growth-promoting properties; promotes mammary gland growth in preparation for lactation in the mother. It also regulates maternal glucose, protein, and fat levels.

PLACENTA OPTIONS:

• Placenta Print
• Placenta Encapsulation
• Placenta Tincture
• Placenta Smoothie
• Plant it
• Placenta Salve

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]When my first baby was born, I laughed at the idea of ingesting my placenta. Heck, I didn’t even want to look at the organ after it was delivered! I had this amazing unmedicated birth center birth, and I didn’t even look at my placenta. What was I thinking? Over the next year, we started falling further down the rabbit hole of all things natural. Our lifestyle began to change as well as our views and practices. By the time I was pregnant with baby #2, we were ready for a homebirth, I was teaching childbirth education classes, and I fully understood the power of the placenta. Not only was I excited to see it, but I wanted it encapsulated.

I took my placenta pills for a few weeks and then decided to stash them in the freezer. I was making plenty of milk, had no signs of depression or baby blues, and was feeling great. My husband asked me a few months later if I truly wanted to keep those suckers in the freezer long term. I simply laughed at him and swallowed two pills the morning after St. Patrick’s Day (in Savannah, mind you.) and went on my merry way while he suffered an awful hangover. Placenta Pills for the WIN! He has never questioned the frozen pills since. With baby #3, I already had half a jar still frozen, but couldn’t imagine not encapsulating this placenta. So now I have a placenta and a half worth of pills in the freezer AND I have another baby on the way! Those little magic pills are going to help me manage menopause someday. (IN THE WAY DISTANT FUTURE!) Needless to say, I am a believer. It doesn’t matter how “Crunchy” you are. Go ahead and read these benefits of encapsulation and make the choice to jump aboard my magic pill boat! Yes, family and friends may think you are crazy. Yes, people will laugh at you. And heck, you may laugh at yourself and see absolutely no truth in these benefits, BUT there is no harm in trying – AND you may come back and thank me if you have an extra glass of wine and need a little help in the morning.

YOUR PLACENTA

Every placenta is different and unique to the mother and baby. It is the organ that surrounds the fetus in the womb and allows for the exchange of nutrients, blood, and waste with the mother. It acts as a sponge (not a filter), so everything the mother ingests while pregnant will reach the baby in one form or another. Third stage of labor is when the placenta is delivered. It is expelled by pushing, just as the baby is, and will still be attached to baby by the umbilical cord. Delayed cord clamping is vitally important and being practiced more regularly now. After all of the amazing, healthy blood has finished passing from placenta to baby (You can actually watch your baby get pinker during this time!), the cord is cut and the placenta’s purpose is complete. Or so we thought.

PLACENTA ENCAPSULATION

The act of encapsulating the placenta has been practiced for centuries by the Chinese, Vietnamese, Hungarians and Italians. These cultures believe the placenta to be rich in nutrients, which will greatly assist the mother to recover from childbirth. (Come on USA, let’s get with the program). To encapsulate the placenta it will be steamed, dehydrated, ground, and placed into capsules. We know that animals in the wild consume their placentas, and for good reason – they know what’s good for them! Placental encapsulation is the practice of ingesting the placenta. A certified encapsulator thoroughly washes the placenta and cleans any clots or blood. Then, depending on the method chosen, the placenta may be steamed (with or without herbs), or it may go straight to being dehydrated, ground, and placed into pills. It will end up looking like any other herb capsule. Traditionally, this is taken by the mother and is believed to impart numerous health benefits. It is frequently taken shortly after giving birth, during a woman’s menstrual period, or during menopause with the belief that it helps counter some of the symptoms of menopause. You can start taking it immediately, as it should only take 2-3 days before you receive your capsules. Make sure they are stored in a dark cupboard or the refrigerator, but not near anything that could cause them to get wet. If you live in a tropical climate, throw the in the freezer for safe keeping. You should receive 100-200 pills, and they can be stored properly for years! *Note: Prior arrangements for placenta encapsulation should be made, as it needs to be kept in a cooler on ice and will be picked up immediately after birth (within 48 hours).

BENEFITS of PLACENTA ENCAPSULATION

• Increased release of the hormone oxytocin, which helps the uterus return to normal size and encourages bonding with the infant
  
  
• Increase in CRH, a stress-reducing hormone
  
  
• Decrease in post-partum depression levels
  
  
• Restoration of iron levels in the blood
  
  
• Increase in milk production
  
  
• Replacing the depleted hormones with your own natural hormones
  
  
• Rebalancing the systems of the body
  
  
• Increased energy
  
  
• Lessen postpartum bleeding
  
  
• Help balance hormones during menopause

Up to 80% of women experience the baby blues within the first week of birth. Women who consume their placenta report fewer emotional issues and a more enjoyable babymoon.

BUT HOW DOES IT WORK?

The placenta is composed of beneficial hormones, chemicals, iron, and proteins. These healing substances include:

• Estrogen, Progesterone, Testosterone: These contribute to mammary gland development in preparation for lactation; stabilize postpartum mood; regulate post-birth uterine cramping; decreases depression; normalizes and stimulates libido.
  
  
• Prolactin: Promotes lactation; increases milk supply; enhances the mothering instinct.
  
  
• Oxytocin: Decreases pain and increases bonding in mother and infant; counteracts the production of stress hormones such as Cortisol; greatly reduces postpartum bleeding; enhances the breastfeeding let-down reflex.
  
  
• Placental Opioid-Enhancing Factor (POEF): Stimulates the production of your body’s natural opioids, including endorphins; reduces pain; increases well-being.
  
  
• Thyroid Stimulating Hormone: Regulates the thyroid gland; boosts energy and supports recovery from stressful events.
  
  
• Corticotropin Releasing Hormone (CRH): Low levels of CRH are implicated in postpartum depression. Regulation of CRH helps prevent depression.
  
  
• Cortisone: Reduces inflammation and swelling; promotes healing.
  
  
• Interferon: Triggers the protective defenses of the immune system to fight infection.
  
  
• Prostaglandins: Regulates contractions in the uterus after birth; helps uterus return to its pre-pregnancy size. Anti-inflammatory effects.
  
  
• Iron: Replenishes maternal iron stores to combat anemia, a common postpartum condition. Increases energy; decreases fatigue and depression.
  
  
• Hemoglobin: Oxygen-carrying molecule which provides a boost in energy.
  
  
• Urokinase Inhibiting Factor and Factor XIII: stops bleeding and enhances wound healing.
  
  
• Immunoglobulin G (IgG): Antibody molecules which support the immune system.
  
  
• Human Placental Lactogen (hPL): This hormone has lactogenic and growth-promoting properties; promotes mammary gland growth in preparation for lactation in the mother. It also regulates maternal glucose, protein, and fat levels.

PLACENTA OPTIONS:

• Placenta Print
• Placenta Encapsulation
• Placenta Tincture
• Placenta Smoothie
• Plant it
• Placenta Salve